Nathalie Ouellette is the new deputy director of the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic (OMM) and the Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) in Québec.

Ouellette is the first person to hold the position, which was created in part due to the connection between the activities of both organizations — including for instrument development, and for scientific communication through iREx’s partnership with the ASTROLab du Mont-Mégantic.

“Nathalie has all the qualities to be an exceptional manager for our organizations. I am convinced that her experience and leadership will take OMM and iREx ever higher, towards the stars!” said René Doyon, director of the OMM and iREx.

Ouellette has a PhD in Astrophysics from Queen’s University in Ontario. She was previously the iREx coordinator, and in recent years led the ExoBites project — short videos featuring iREx astronomers. She also presented the Canadian image during the release of the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in July, according to a news release. 

Ouellette will retain her role as the JWST Canadian Outreach Scientist, while also managing her new role as deputy director of the OMM.